The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-02
FOR AND ABOUT WOMEN.
Lucy Stones Reflections on the
Constitutional Celebration.
Progress OF the Suffrage Cause-Fe-
male Physicians In the Orient
Personal and General,

The centennial observance of the
adoption Of the Constitution was 4
grand industrial, military and civic
display. In that respect it left moth.
ing to be desired. Too much honor
cannot be given to the men by whom,
and to the day on which the founda.
ton was laid that made this great
nation possible.
But it is easier to celebrate great
ness than to achieve it. This very
occasion was most opportuue for re-
affirming the principle laid down 100
years ago that the consent of the
governed is the basis OF a Just gov
eminent in its application to gov
erned women no less than to governed
men.
II the voice Of the great multi.
tude, gathered on the 18th of Sep
TENDER, had been heard for equal
human rights irrespective of sex, il
would have been the beginning OF
the end Of the subsection of women.
Congress would have felt the force
OF its affirmation. Every State Leg
islature would have been Influenced
by it. IL would have marked an
epoch which glad millions would
have honored forever. AS the cen.
turtles roll by, that day would have
been observed as great historic
day. But the occasion was lost.
The men whs celebrated the great
deed Of dead heroes Ga the 18th OF
September left no great deed OF their
own to be celebrated now or here
after.
But how great was the needl To-
day every male rufiian out Of prison
is entitled to vote. The burglar or
the incendiary serves his sentence
and comes to the polls with an un-
questioned right TO cast his ballot.
The man who pounded his wife,
broke her nose, tore her hair, and
put out her eyes with an awl was SEN
fenced by New York court TO only
nine months Imprisonment. lie
will come out Of prison and vote for
legislators who will be lenient to
wife. heaters. She will wander with
blinded eyes, powerless TO protect
herself. and with no adequate pro-
lection by law. The men who com
init indecent assaults upon women
and little girls vote, as in Delaware,
to limit the age OF protection for fe.
male children TO seven years. The
heart-broken mothers may wiring
their hands in helpless agony, but
the power for protection which is in
the ballot is denied to them.
But more than any personal wrongs
is the danger TO the public welfare
which comes by the exercise OF
political power by vast classes OF
irresponsible and wicked men, while
there is no adequate moral power to
offset or counterbalance it. Men
have had this government all to
themselves 100 years. The respect
for law and order with which they
bes an has grown less and less. The
peace and safety OF all our cities are
and the integrity Of the
government itself is put in peril by
the increase Of political corruption
and intrigue. NJ vice and crime, and
every species OF lawlessness. Men
who desire right condition Of things
are powerless. The one thing left
TO oppose these growing evils which
has not been tried is political power
in the hands OF women.
The opportunity came at Phila-
delphia 10 add to the force Of that
great assembly in favor Of the ballot
for women. and ie was lost.
LUCY STONH,